Remaining highly active at the top of the individual white collar criminal defence market, BCL Solicitors LLP deploys an extensive senior team on behalf of senior executives, directors, and high net-worth individuals in the UK and globally, handling SFO, FCA, police, and global enforcement agency investigations into bribery and corruption, revenue frauds, insider dealing, and money laundering, with standout involvements in ongoing issues relating to Russian sanctions and Cum-Ex proceedings. The practice is overseen by Harry Travers, who has particular expertise in tax fraud, multijurisdictional financial crime expert Richard Sallybanks, and Shula de Jersey , who has been active in a number of major SFO investigations into bribery and corruption. Senior partner Ian Burton continues to work on behalf of high-profile clients in complex proceedings, while Shaul Brazil is also highlighted for his work in financial crime. John Binns has been active in the sanctions space, representing a number of individual clients facing UK, US, and EU economic and trade sanctions, and Julian Hayes has continued to burnish his reputation in high-profile crime cases. At senior associate level, Hannah Raphael has standout involvements in cross-border financial crime cases, including relating to LIBOR rate-fixing, and Anoushka Warlow is a key name for SFO investigations and prosecutions.

Corker Binning represents a wide range of individuals, including directors and senior executives at multinational businesses in various industries, throughout high-stakes proceedings, with the senior team enjoying productive relations with major UK enforcement bodies such as the SFO, FCA, HMRC, and the police, as well as regularly handling cross-border proceedings involving US agencies and law enforcement bodies, including the DOJ, FBI, and SEC. The team, led by international investigations specialist Andrew Smith, includes the vastly experienced David Corker and Peter Binning, who both bring deep expertise in SFO proceedings and significant success in criminal fraud defence trials, while Jessica Parker‘s strengths include cross-border money laundering and criminal tax fraud investigations. Claire Cross is a former senior FCA lawyer, and has notable capabilities across regulatory and internal compliance investigations. Edward Grange specialises in extradition work, and is accordingly a go-to for international business crime cases. Both Maia Cohen-Lask, a go-to for defending senior executives in UK agency investigations and international regulatory and criminal investigations specialist Nick Barnard were promoted to counsel in April 2022.

‘A very strong team at all levels‘, Kingsley Napley LLP has a hugely successful record in representing individuals in complex, often cross-border white collar cases, offering specialist criminal law expertise throughout the firm in cases relating to bribery and corruption, tax and corporate fraud, insider trading, cartels, and sanctions breaches, among others. The firm also has notable multijurisdictional expertise, regularly handling major SFO, FCA, and US DOJ cases involving defendants in a number of jurisdictions, as well as extradition issues. The senior team is led by the ‘formidable‘ Louise Hodges, and also features experienced practitioners such as Stephen Parkinson, Nicola Finnerty, investigations specialist Caroline Day, and former SFO General Counsel Alun Milford. Formerly a practitioner at the Bar, Aaron Watkins brings significant advocacy expertise, while Jill Lorimer and Jonathan Grimes are noted for their financial services sector and broad financial crime expertise respectively. Rebecca Niblock remains active in major domestic and cross-border investigations on behalf of individual clients, and senior associate Sophie Wood has a growing reputation for serious fraud cases, including notable expertise in POCA and extradition issues, including INTERPOL Red Notices.

Offering a senior team and long-standing expertise in white-collar criminal defence work, Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP represents a wide international individual client base, including senior directors, high net-worth individuals, and employees of corporates facing regulatory investigations, handling high-level investigations and prosecutions relating to allegations of fraud, tax evasion, sanctions violations, and corruption, including high-profile SFO and DOJ proceedings, as well as actions brought by international law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL. The practice is led by Nick Vamos, a former Head of Special Crime at the CPS with extensive experience in sensitive criminal corruption and public law cases. Senior partner Michael O’Kane is noted for his international expertise, particularly relating to extradition, while Jasvinder Nakhwal is also a key name for cross-border work, representing clients in major investigations by the SFO, FCA, and international agencies. Neil Swift specialises in SFO work, successfully defending clients in several high-profile investigations by the agency, and counsel Charlotte Tregunna maintains her international practice, with standout involvements in areas such as sanctions, extradition, and cross-border business crime proceedings. Hannah Laming left the firm in July 2022.

Boutique white-collar firm Bivonas Law LLP has a successful record across criminal fraud representations, successfully defending directors, public officials, and high net-worth individuals throughout complex cases brought by UK and international bodies, encompassing initial investigations, criminal confiscation proceedings, and trial, with all senior team members offering significant litigation experience. While independent, the firm maintains a significant international referral network, and has handled cases in jurisdictions across Europe, Africa, Asia, and most notably Russia, and has represented public sector officials internationally. The team is headed up by highly experienced senior partner Antony Brown , who has handled several of the firm’s high-profile multijurisdictional cases, Cindy Dorrington , a ‘master of the subject matter‘ across fraud, corruption, and financial services regulatory proceedings, and ‘seasoned pro‘ Steve Sharp. Roland Ellis  is a key name for complex fraud proceedings, and George Kampanella specialises in criminal fraud and financial crime prosecutions brought the SFO, FCA, and HMRC, among others.

Boutique litigation firm Hickman & Rose is highly active in SFO prosecutions, representing a number of high-profile individuals, including international directors and executives, facing significant financial crime allegations, as well as representing clients before international regulatory agencies and in parallel civil investigations, among others. The team is led by Ross Dixon, who has particular expertise in DPAs and has played a key role in a number of major SFO cases, alongside Ben Rose, a specialist in bribery and corruption globally, with a number of clients from the financial services industry. Christopher Houssemayne du Boulay focuses on complex financial crime matters, including prosecutions relating to LIBOR and EURIBOR fixing allegations, while Andrew Katzen has expertise in money laundering and regulatory investigations. Emily Sheils combines work in financial crime cases with knowledge of corporate and commercial law, and Claire Wallace is noted for her work on financial regulatory issues and professional discipline cases on behalf of individuals employed in the financial services sector.

Mishcon de Reya LLP continues to play a key role in several major ongoing SFO investigations, alongside white-collar proceedings brought by the NCA, HMRC and international enforcement agencies. Acting for a number of senior executives in high-profile cases, the firm also has a strong capability in international ultra-high-net-worth representations, with standout capabilities in major police investigations and responses to Account Freezing Orders and Unexplained Wealth Orders. Additionally, the team has strong extradition expertise, led by Ben Brandon, who regularly works in conjunction with the firm’s immigration practice. Practice head Johanna Walsh offers a ‘wealth of experience’ on international fraud, corruption and money laundering cases, remaining active in ongoing and new SFO investigations, as well as proceedings relating to emerging areas such as modern slavery. Matthew Ewens also has a strong multijurisdictional record, handling bribery, corruption and money laundering cases, particularly relating to the gaming sector. Alison Geary joined the firm as a partner from WilmerHale in February 2022, furthering the team’s work in high-level corporate crime cases relating to market abuse, cartels, and money laundering, including cross-border investigations brought by European and US enforcers.

Praised for its ‘great dedication and skill‘, the team at PCB Byrne offers bespoke criminal expertise across the full range of financial crime cases, including fraud, money laundering, tax and financial services investigations and prosecutions, both UK-led and multijurisdictional. The firm acts for senior executives, high-net-worth individuals, and other high-profile individuals facing allegations of bribery and corruption, and excels in sensitive proceedings involving significant public interest, and is involved in a large number of ongoing SFO investigations. Managing partner Sara Teasdale and Michael Potts head up the team, offering notable expertise and ‘strategic thinking‘ in cross-border bribery and corruption investigations and Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings respectively, while Matthew Frankland is praised by clients for his ‘robust‘ work in serious criminal fraud prosecutions and investigations, regularly handling high-stakes global investigations and prosecutions. Emma Brooks has played a leading role on international cases brought by the SFO, NCA and HMRC, with particular expertise in City-based fraud, and offers ‘unparalleled levels of client care‘.

WilmerHale represents an international client base in high-stakes white-collar and financial crime cases, including proceedings brought by the SFO, NCA, and police, as well as global enforcement agencies such as the US DOJ and SEC, benefitting from its strong US platform for multijurisdictional work. Stephen Pollard leads the team, and has great experience in fraud and corruption cases on a global basis, acting for directors, high-level directors, and high-net-worth individuals. Other key names in the team include counsel David Rundle, who is dual US-qualified and handles insider dealing, market abuse and money laundering cases, and Lloyd Firth, who has seen success in SFO proceedings.

Allen & Overy LLP is able to act for individual clients in UK regulator-led investigations, including proceedings brought by the SFO, FCA, and NCA, as well as tax and police investigations, and cross-border investigations in Europe, the United States, Africa and Asia. The team is led by Eve Giles, a ‘lawyer who can really handle anything‘, who offers expertise in the full range of criminal and regulatory white-collar proceedings, including foreign exchange, bribery, sanctions, cyber crime and insider trading. Other key members of the practice include senior associates Hayley Humphries, who has represented high-profile individuals against SFO and FCA investigations, Tom Spackman, who has notable capabilities in guiding clients through interviews by regulatory authorities, both domestic and international, and Jessica Rodger, who has represented senior executives at listed companies as well as high-net-worth individuals in SFO, internal, and police investigations into corporate malfeasance.

Arnold & Porter represents individuals involved in high-profile fraud and white-collar crime proceedings, including major investigations and prosecutions brought by global enforcement agencies such as the SFO, US DOJ, and SEC, with clients facing significant allegations of bribery, corruption, money laundering, and sanctions violations, among others. The firm is able to collaborate with its US platform on multijurisdictional and concurrent proceedings, and has notable capabilities in managing reputational damage to its clients in the event of proceedings receiving significant media attention. The practice is led by the highly experienced Kathleen Harris, who has a successful record in representing high-profile individuals throughout regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings, as well as in criminal cases. Litigator Sean Curran is also a key member of the team, offering trial experience in cases relating to a number of key industries to an international client base.

Bindmans LLP represents individuals in investigations and prosecutions brought by the SFO, FCA, HMRC, and national police forces relating to bribery and corruption, money laundering, and fraud, and offers particular expertise in criminal defence proceedings and extradition cases. The team is noted for its cross-border capabilities alongside strong domestic work, acting both for international clients and in multijurisdictional proceedings. The ‘hugely experienced‘ Katie Wheatley heads up the team, with a strong record in acting for clients in investigations, both internal and regulatory, relating to bribery and corruption, including handling interviews under compulsion, as well as bankers and traders accused of financial wrongdoing. Kate Goold specialises in complex, politically sensitive extradition cases, and has also seen success in representing clients in SEC investigations. Tayab Ali represents high-net-worth individuals in fraud and corruption proceedings, also handling reputation management issues arising from allegations.

Offering notable litigation and general criminal law expertise, Blackfords LLP represents individuals facing white-collar criminal proceedings throughout investigation, charge, trial, and appeal, acting both for executives and high net-worth individuals privately as well as for legal aid clients. The firm is regularly involved in high-profile investigations by the SFO, FCA, and police forces relating to bribery, serious fraud, and corruption, and has also increased its involvement in complex, multi-jurisdictional cases, often involving engagement with international law enforcement. Daniel Cundy and Gary Bloxsome head up the ‘hard nosed and tough‘ team, both offering civil and criminal fraud and financial crime expertise, while ‘first class‘ managing partner Trevor Francis is a key senior figure in the team for serious fraud and money laundering cases. In-house barrister Rachel Wilson takes the lead on litigation and advocacy work, while senior associate Jennifer Richardson is noted for her expertise in mortgage fraud, Ponzi frauds and carousel frauds.

Praised by clients for their ‘expertise and experience‘ across high-level fraud, financial crime, and tax investigations, the team at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has a successful record in representing senior executives and high-net-worth individuals facing regulatory investigations and prosecutions by the SFO, FCA, and international regulatory and law enforcement bodies, with particular strength in handling cross-border cases involving European and US authorities. The practice is led by Mark Beardsworth and Kevin Roberts, both highly experienced practitioners who are regularly involved in high-level, often multi-party individual proceedings relating to allegations of market abuse, insider trading, money laundering and fraud, with Beardsworth offering additional expertise in ancillary civil fraud issues, and Roberts increasingly focusing on the cryptocurrency space. Senior counsel Duncan Grieve is also highlighted, representing individual clients in multijurisdictional investigations, with a particular niche in cases involving Latin American jurisdictions. Associate Charlotte Glaser remains a go-to for HMRC and CMA investigations, and has previously practiced as a criminal barrister. Shruti Chandhok departed the firm in June 2022 for Kirkland & Ellis International LLP.

‘Adept at handling large scale financial fraud investigations and prosecutions‘, Howard Kennedy LLP is active in high-profile and complex money laundering and compliance proceedings, with standout involvements in cases relating to EURIBOR, as well as ongoing SFO investigations and cases relating to market manipulation, the Bribery Act, and regulatory issues. Clients include directors, executives, and financial services traders, both domestic and international, with the firm able to leverage in-house reputation management, private client, and commercial litigation expertise to represent a diverse range of clients in the full spectrum of white-collar cases. Practice head Ian Ryan ‘inspires confidence’, and has seen success in representing individuals in high-profile serious fraud proceedings, particularly SFO investigations, while financial crime and regulatory specialist Kyle Phillips is also a key name for international money laundering and market abuse cases. Senior associate Jennifer Harper represents clients in criminal fraud and regulatory proceedings brought by all major UK enforcement agencies.

Jenner & Block LLP represents senior executives in a wide range of industries, including energy, extractive industries, financial services, and healthcare, in complex internal and regulatory investigations and associated litigation, with strong capabilities across the full range of white-collar criminal issues, such as bribery, sanctions violations, money laundering, terrorist financing, and emerging issues such as ESG and culture risks. Alongside representation of clients facing investigations and criminal charges, the firm also advises individual directors and executives on compliance issues across a number of key jurisdictions. The team is led by Christine Braamskamp, a leader in multijurisdictional white-collar crime cases who has represented clients in high-stakes criminal trials alongside regulatory investigations and compliance matters, while Paul Feldberg is also a key name for trial representation across the full range of fraud and white-collar criminal issues. Robert Dalling is noted for his work on trade sanctions and market abuse and experience of interacting with regulatory agencies in the UK and globally.

Macfarlanes LLP represents senior executives and international high-net-worth individuals in criminal investigations and prosecutions brought by the SFO and global enforcement bodies, as well as handling extradition proceedings, interviews under caution and witness interviews, and tax investigations. The firm is able to handle cross-border proceedings, and has acted for clients in a wide range of industries, including financial services, sports, and others, and is particularly noted for its ability to represent high-profile clients facing sensitive allegations of financial crime. Vastly experienced white-collar criminal defence practitioner Neill Blundell heads up the ‘cohesive and well-informed‘ team, which also includes Lorna Emson, who continues to bolster her reputation in the financial crime space, acting for executives, HNW individuals, and politicians, and senior solicitor Helen Harvey, who has notable expertise in criminal HMRC investigations. Associate Max Hobbs, who regularly represents clients facing interviews under caution, is praised as an ‘up and coming force‘.

Norton Rose Fulbright leverages its international network to act on a range of complex domestic and global regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings, representing individuals involved in major SFO investigations and cross-border enforcement actions. The firm combines its multijurisdictional reach with notable criminal defence capabilities - a number of senior team members able to represent clients throughout the criminal process, from initial notifications and interviews under caution through to trial. Areas of strength for the firm include fraud, market abuse, and corruption allegations, with involvement in standout LIBOR and EURIBOR investigations. The practice is led by specialist regulatory and corporate crime practitioner Neil O’May, who has notable expertise in DPAs and a successful record in domestic and international defence proceedings on behalf of high-profile individuals, alongside Pamela Reddy, who is regularly involved in high-profile financial crime and regulatory cases. Katie Stephen also offers in-house FCA expertise to clients facing market abuse and money laundering allegations.

The ‘really committed defence team‘ at Paul Hastings LLP continues to act for individual defendants in high-profile white-collar defence proceedings, including a key role in several ongoing SFO investigations. The firm also represents clients in global investigations, working in close collaboration with its US, European, and Asian teams, including parallel investigations by the US DOJ and other international enforcement bodies. The practice is led by Jonathan Pickworth, whose expertise includes tax evasion, fraud, and money laundering cases, while other key names are Joanna Dimmock, known for her work in international corruption, criminal cartel, and economic sanctions proceedings, and Rebecca Copcutt, who continues to build her reputation for criminal enforcement actions, including cross-border cartel and market misconduct allegations. Associate Fred Kelly plays a key role in several of the firm’s highest-profile individual representations, including SFO defence proceedings and investigations by law enforcement.

Simmons & Simmons continues to offer deep expertise in representing individuals facing large-scale financial crime investigations, with a client base of senior executives in diverse industries including oil and gas, mining, tobacco, and financials services. The team represents clients in SFO investigations, alongside multijurisdictional proceedings involving UK and international enforcement agencies, including clients facing bribery, corruption, and fraud allegations in challenging jurisdictions. The practice is led by the ‘unflappable‘ Stephen Gentle, who has seen success across a wide range of cases, particularly those relating to money laundering, alongside Nick Benwell, a go-to for cross-border corruption and financial crime investigations. Former senior SFO official Camilla De Silva provides long-standing prosecutorial and regulatory expertise to individual clients, including valuable insights into the workings of regulators and developments in enforcement strategy, while managing associate and ‘outstanding future partner‘ Emily Agnoli continues to play a key role in major SFO investigations as well as cross-border proceedings. Of counsel Cherie Spinks specialises in money laundering issues, and managing associate Alexandra Webster has been integral to several high-stakes SFO prosecutions and directors’ liability cases.

Stephenson Harwood represents a wide range of individual clients in business crime proceedings, with expertise ranging from all stages of regulatory investigations, from notification and interviews through to the enforcement phase, as well as representing clients in criminal prosecutions and parallel civil fraud proceedings. The team benefits from in-house commercial litigation, corporate law and regulatory expertise, and can also call upon in-house experience from regulatory agencies, as well as experience on the prosecution side. Sean Jeffrey heads up the team, and has represented senior executives and high-net-worth individuals in major SFO investigations, with particular expertise in international financial sanctions cases. The ‘incisive‘ Justin McClelland is a former prosecutor, and brings his varied expertise to complex cases relating to market abuse, cartel activity and bribery, able to represent clients in civil proceedings alongside criminal regulatory prosecutions, with experience in dealing with UK and international bodies. Alan Ward was promoted to partner in May 2022, and continues to be active in multijurisdictional investigations on behalf of key individual clients. Tony Woodcock has retired from the partnership and assumed a senior consultant role.

Cohen & Gresser (UK) LLP represents clients throughout high-profile fraud, money laundering, corruption, and market manipulation cases, with a senior team of experienced advocates capable of representing clients in both regulatory investigations and criminal prosecutions, as well as offering expertise in asset tracing and POCA issues. The practice was further strengthened in February 2022 by the arrival of former SFO Director David Green KC from Slaughter and May, who offers deep cross-border investigations expertise, and Andrew Mitchell KC, a POCA specialist, who joined from 33 Chancery Lane. They join a team led by ‘heavyweight‘ Richard Kovalevsky KC, who has a successful record in representing individuals in financial crime cases, including several sophisticated cross-border proceedings, and John Gibson, who offers deep expertise in financial regulation and strong knowledge of enforcement strategies.

The ‘high-class bespoke team’ at Cooley (UK) LLP has standout cross-border capabilities in an array of white collar proceedings, representing individuals in cases ranging from internal and regulatory investigations through to criminal prosecutions for fraud, bribery, corruption, and money laundering, among others. The team represents senior executives, directors, high-net-worth individuals, and public sector officials based in the UK and globally, and has a strong record in helping clients avoid prosecution, as well as providing complementary risk and reputation management expertise. The team is led by the ‘outstanding‘ Tom Epps, who has a strong record across fraud and financial crime investigations and prosecutions, including a number of highly sensitive international proceedings, with litigator Sascha Grimm providing Bribery Act and asset recovery expertise. Senior associate Marie Kavanagh regularly represents clients against SFO and FCA investigations and prosecutions, including a number of complex cross-border cases.

Dechert LLP hired practice co-head Judith Seddon from Ropes & Gray LLP in March 2022, an experienced name in the market with a strong record in defending senior executives at corporates and financial services institutions in criminal investigations brought by the SFO, FCA, HMRC, often high-stakes and involving global elements. Elsewhere, the team regularly represents US and UK-based individuals, primarily executives, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and traders, in proceedings brought by global prosecuting authorities such as the US DOJ and CFTC, a particular strength for practice co-head Roger Burlingame and Matthew L Mazur, who are both US-qualified and regularly represent clients before US authorities. Timothy Bowden, a former practitioner at the Bar, is also a key name in the team for individual representations, acting for clients facing SFO and FCA investigations as well as internal investigations in the financial sector.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP has established a new white-collar offering, Hannah Blom-Cooper from Mishcon de Reya LLP in October 2021 and Rebecca Meads from Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP in April 2022. The practice combines strong international expertise thanks to the firm’s global platform with specialist criminal defence and commercial litigation capabilities, and acts for an array of high-profile individuals in major financial crime and fraud proceedings, including allegations of market manipulation, bribery, and corruption. Since publication, Jo Rickards left the practice.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP offers deep regulatory agency expertise, allowing it to represent a broad range of individual clients throughout financial crime investigations and prosecutions brought by UK regulators and enforcement bodies, as well as in cross-border proceedings and investigations by international agencies. Clients include directors, executives, and high-net-worth individuals in various industries facing investigations into issues such as tax fraud, corporate malfeasance and misappropriation of funds, and insider trading. The team is led by Susannah Cogman, who has experience in handling criminal and regulatory proceedings, with particular strength in AML and sanctions, and regularly represents clients in SFO investigations, while Brian Spiro is noted for his work on behalf of international high-net-worth individuals in multijurisdictional fraud and business crime cases. The ‘wise and calming’ Kate Meakin has in-house experience at the SFO, and notable capabilities in representing clients in the financial services in cases relating to market abuse.

IBB Owen White has increased its share of high-profile referrals from major firms in London, reflecting its expertise in handling complex cases for individuals facing fraud trials, as well as supporting clients through internal and regulatory investigations by the SFO, among other bodies. The firm represents a number of directors and former executives at major corporates and financial services institutions, and has seen success in cases relating to ongoing LIBOR and UK PLC investigations. The team is led by the ‘intelligent, industrious‘ Uxbridge-based John Milner, a highly experienced business crime practitioner who has seen great success in representing City clients throughout financial crime, corruption and VAT fraud proceedings, with a reputation for representing clients facing funding issues due to asset forfeitures or freezing orders.

Specialising in international private client representations, the team at Kobre & Kim LLP represents ultra-high-net-worth clients across the globe in cross-border litigation and crisis management cases relating to allegations of financial crime, with a successful record in defending clients against asset forfeiture claims, accusations of misappropriation of funds, and broad reputational damage, including standout involvement in responses to the Pandora Papers leak. Clients include high-profile private individuals and business directors, with the firm’s international network and dual-qualified lawyers allowing it to effectively handle multijurisdictional claims and respond to demands from global regulators. UK and US-qualified Robin Rathmell heads up the team, and is vastly experienced in handling complex fraud claims before courts and authorities in both jurisdictions, as well as Interpol investigations. Former US DOJ prosecutor Jason Masimore has particular expertise in financial crime investigations in Europe and the Middle East, while Polly Wilkins is a key name for the mitigation of business and reputational risks facing individual clients.

Rahman Ravelli is a nationwide firm with an international reach in white-collar criminal defence proceedings, representing a global range of individual clients facing allegations of financial crime, bribery and corruption, and serious fraud. The firm is engaged in a range of proceedings worldwide, offering on-the-ground European and US expertise, as well as acting in Africa and Asia-domiciled proceedings, and representing defendants in major SFO, FCA, and HMRC prosecutions in the UK. The ‘fantastic‘ Azizur Rahman heads up the team, taking the lead on an array of high-profile and sensitive cases, while the ‘outstanding‘ Niall Hearty was promoted to partner in May 2022. Counsel Salomé Lemasson divides her time between London, Paris, and Berlin, heading up the firm’s EU-wide business crime offering and contributing heavily to the firm’s cross-border expertise.

Sidley Austin LLP represents high-profile individuals, including senior executives and high-net-worth individuals, facing sensitive and often heavily-publicised proceedings relating to allegations of fraud and other financial crime. The team regularly handles cross-border cases, including multijurisdictional investigations and criminal trials, utilising the firm’s international network and the experience of ‘brilliant‘ practice head Sara George, praised for her ‘straightforward, comprehensive‘ work in criminal defence cases.

ABV Solicitors has a strong record defending high net-worth individuals and senior executives facing SFO investigations and prosecution, including standout involvement on behalf of individuals in the high-profile Amec Foster Wheeler and Patisserie Valerie proceedings reflecting the firm’s reputation for serious fraud defence in the energy, oil, and retail sectors. The team is led by Akhtar Ahmad, an experienced figure in criminal  defence before the SFO, NCA, and other key enforcement bodies, alongside Deepak Vij , a specialist in financial crime work in the UK and globally.

Bark&co has standout involvements on behalf of high-profile sportspeople, politicians, and business executives, handling cross-border white-collar proceedings including insider dealing, tax fraud, bribery, and money laundering cases. Most notably, the firm represented Boris Becker in his ongoing tax fraud prosecution, reflecting its regular involvement in major trials, as well as complex SFO and FCA investigations, combining litigation and compliance expertise with in-house reputation management capabilities. Giles Bark-Jones heads up the team, a ‘powerhouse‘ in complex international fraud and corruption cases, while senior consultant David Byrne is noted for his work on regulatory investigations, and the ‘tireless‘ Maria Stalbow plays a leading role in FCA insider dealing cases and corruption cases brought against former police officers.

DLA Piper represents a worldwide client base in financial crime investigations brought by UK and international authorities, combining representation throughout contentious proceedings with advice on internal policies and compliance. The firm advises on pre-charge issues, interviews under caution, and also represents clients in court against bodies such as the FCA, with a strong record of success. The practice is overseen by Tony Katz, a key name for cross-border internal investigations in a wide range of industries, and Sam Millar, who leads the firm’s European white collar offering, working with financial institutions and corporate clients.

Fieldfisher expanded its individual fraud and white-collar defence capabilities with the December 2021 arrival of new practice head Quinton Newcomb from Fulcrum Chambers Ltd, who brings significant expertise in representing senior executives in criminal and regulatory prosecutions, as well as interviews under caution and compulsion under PACE and Section 2. The team was further bolstered in January 2022 by two additions from the Bar, with senior associate William Glover joining from 3 Temple Gardens and contributing experience in criminal fraud trials on behalf of high-net-worth individuals, while Manchester-based associate Verity Quaite arrived from 18SJS, having previously defended and prosecuted in Bribery Act and POCA cases. Senior Elliott Kenton has played a key role in cross-border HMRC tax evasion cases on behalf of business directors.

Fox Williams LLP is distinguished by the in-house regulatory expertise of its senior team, allowing the firm to represent clients in high-stakes SFO and FCA proceedings, utilising prior experience on the prosecution side. Areas of expertise include criminal fraud, money laundering, financial crime and market manipulation, with the team regularly referred work by major UK and international law firms. The vastly experienced James Carlton heads up the team, representing a diverse client base in prosecutions and investigations, both internal and regulatory, alongside former FSA prosecutor Peter Wright, who is heavily involved in market abuse and insider dealing cases. Sona Ganatra is a specialist in financial services industry investigations.

Hodge Jones & Allen represents clients in complex fraud trials, with notable capabilities in handling cases involving multiple defendants, as well as issues such as asset seizures, confiscations, and regulatory matters. The team acts for domestic and cross-border clients, including business directors and  high net-worth individuals as well as providing representation to legal aid applicants. The practice collaborates closely with the firm’s general crime team, bolstering its capabilities in litigation, and is led by ‘meticulous‘ financial crime specialist Ruth Harris, who represents clients in complex proceedings across jurisdictions, and has secured acquittals for individuals facing SFO, FCA, and HMRC charges. General crime head Raj Chada is noted for his expertise in bribery cases.

Hogan Lovells International LLP continues to develop its presence in individual representations, acting for a number of senior executives and individuals of interest both as witnesses and defendants in major SFO and FCA investigations, as well as cross-border proceedings brought by the likes of the US DOJ. The firm has a particular strength in the financial services space, demonstrated by practice head and former FCA prosecutor Claire Lipworth, and is also able to draw upon industry-specific expertise in areas such as mining and energy, as well as tax capabilities, from the wider firm footprint.

Janes Solicitors represents clients in SFO, HMRC, and FCA investigations and prosecutions, combining a successful record in domestic fraud representations with notable success in cross-border proceedings, particularly relating to extradition attempts. Clients include executives at blue-chip companies in the UK and internationally, as well as high-profile high-net-worth individuals, with areas of strength including tax fraud, bribery and corruption allegations, and financial markets fraud such as LIBOR rate-fixing proceedings. The practice is led by David Janes, an experienced figure who is a go-to name for bribery and corruption, money laundering and POCA cases, while Fiona Gavriel has seen great success in securing acquittals at trial for clients facing complex financial crime allegations. Litigator Simon Barker focuses on money laundering and confiscation proceedings.

K&L Gates LLP combines standout cross-border expertise with specialist criminal defence capabilities, allowing it to represent senior executives of major domestic and global companies in high-profile, often sensitive investigations across jurisdictions, including proceedings brought by the SFO, FCA, and domestic law enforcement, as well as the US DOJ and other international enforcement bodies. The practice is led by Dylan Moses, who focuses on multijurisdictional white-collar crime, fraud, and health and safety prosecutions, and also includes Michael Ruck, who has in-house FCA experience and is a key name for complex financial services investigations. Senior associate Rosie Naylor has played a leading role in a number of international investigations in the UK, US, Africa, and Asia, and has a particular niche in acting for figures involved in politics.

RPC leverages its successful record in corporate crime and regulatory investigations, private prosecutions, and financial crime litigation to act successfully for high-profile individuals facing SFO, FCA, HMRC, and international white-collar proceedings, ranging from interviews under caution through to full-scale representation in criminal trials. The firm represents senior executives, directors, and global high net-worth individuals facing allegations of bribery, corruption, criminal fraud, and sanctions violations, among others. The practice is headed by criminal tax specialist Adam Craggs , financial crime litigator Michelle Sloane , and Sam Tate , a key name for global white-collar investigations.

The ‘exceptional‘ team at Russell-Cooke LLP is praised for its ‘effective communication‘ and versatile offering, with specialist criminal litigators providing expertise in financial crime, extradition, and corruption cases, and able to handle high-profile and sensitive proceedings on behalf of individuals of public note. Key names in the team include Jae Carwardine, Martin Rackstraw, and ‘brilliant‘ associate Jacob Smyth. Frances Murray joined from Rosenblatt in May 2022.

Simons Muirhead Burton represents clients in criminal and regulatory investigations, with particular strength in acting for business directors and high-net-worth individuals subject to Account Freezing Orders, solicitors facing financial crime accusations, and money laundering cases, with the team offering expertise in SFO, NCA, and police proceedings. ‘Force of nature‘ Philip Smith heads up the team and has strong expertise in acting for international directors and lawyers in criminal fraud investigations, including those relating to corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud, while the vastly experienced Anthony Burton remains a key name for individual fraud prosecutions of all kinds. Associate Henrietta Ronson has won praise for her ‘remarkable insight’ in complex financial crime matters.

With experience of complex financial crime proceedings brought by UK and US agencies, the team at Steptoe and Johnson UK LLP is noted for its representation of individuals facing SFO and FCA investigations, as well as prosecutions brought by authorities such as the US DOJ and SEC, working in close collaboration with cross-border teams in the US and globally. Areas of expertise for the firm include bribery and corruption allegations, complex financial fraud such as trade manipulation, and pharmaceutical advertising fraud, which is a particular specialty of practice head John Rupp. The ‘hugely committed‘ Zoe Osborne remains a key name for internal investigations and regulatory enforcement actions, offering strong in-house financial services contentious regulatory and compliance expertise and broad crisis management capabilities.

Stokoe Partnership Solicitors focuses on representing clients facing high-stakes criminal investigations and prosecutions, working on behalf of both professionals in a broad range of industries and those accused of participation in organised crime, with strong capabilities across interviews under caution, ongoing investigations, and full criminal trials. The team is led by Bambos Tsiattalou, who has a successful record in defending clients facing lengthy prison sentences, and offers broad expertise across the full range of criminal fraud issues, representing clients facing charges of wire fraud, money laundering, bribery, and tax fraud, while Richard Cannon specialises in cross-border financial crime proceedings, particularly involving the US, regularly working with clients facing extradition.

Taylor Wessing LLP represents a diverse range of clients, including executives at domestic and international businesses from the financial services, pharma, and e-commerce sector, in regulatory and criminal proceedings relating to money laundering, bribery, tax fraud, and complex criminal fraud proceedings more generally, with a strong focus on cross-border investigations. Led by David De Ferrars, who has broad expertise across international fraud proceedings, with notable capabilities in the technology and cryptocurrency space, the team was further strengthened by the arrival of international disputes specialist Richard Viegas from Collyer Bristow LLP in January 2022, and also includes consulting partner David McCluskey, a vastly experienced advisor on AML and compliance issues.

White & Case LLP represents clients in complex investigations relating to financial crime, money laundering, cross-border data issues, and compliance, supporting senior executives throughout regulatory proceedings from initial contact through to trial. The team has notable cross-border expertise, coordinating defence proceedings throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, among others, and regularly collaborates with its international teams, particularly in the US, on international investigations by bodies such as the CMA, US DOJ, and police forces globally. Bribery Act specialist Anneka Randhawa leads the team alongside the ‘astute, incisive’ Jonah Anderson, who provides international corruption and compliance support.

With a UK-wide reach, Cartwright King offers specialist teams with expertise across the full range of regulatory investigations and prosecutions, including proceedings brought by the SFO, FCA, NHS counter-fraud units, and the UK government. The firm acts for directors, senior employees, and management of companies facing allegations of fraud, bribery, and financial crime, ranging from small-to-medium businesses through to national banks and corporate entities. The team is led by Laura Smith, who acts on a nationwide basis in high-value tax and financial fraud cases, while primarily Manchester-based Richard Cornthwaite has handled a number of major complex investigations, including cases relating to LIBOR.

Divided between Birmingham and London, Kangs Solicitors specialises in representing professionals facing fraud investigations, with clients in industries including financial services, film and media, law, and construction. The firm handles a wide range of proceedings, including HMRC investigations, sophisticated cyber and crypto fraud, and frauds relating to government Covid-19 support schemes, as well as multijurisdictional criminal and financial regulatory investigations. Hamraj Kang heads up the team, with particular experience representing executives in offshore HMRC investigations, alongside bribery and corruption matters, while associate John Veale in Birmingham handles VAT and mortgage fraud proceedings.

Osborne Clarke LLP represents senior executives at major public and private sector entities in high-stakes, often cross-border SFO and NCA investigations, including initial interactions with enforcement agencies, interviews under caution, through to defending against prosecution. The team, led by business crime head Jeremy Summers, acts for clients across a wide range of industries, including financial services and investment funds, real estate, life sciences and technology. Bristol-based Tom Ellis has notable expertise in financial crime, working with individuals employed in accountancy and investment funds.

Led by financial crime specialist David Savage, who regularly handles high-level investigations, the team at Stewarts Law LLP advises and represents company directors, corporate officers, and high-net-worth individuals in a range of industries facing multijurisdictional criminal and regulatory investigations relating to fraud, corruption, international sanctions, money laundering and market abuse. The practice draws upon in-house tax and employment expertise, while Pia Mithani is noted for her asset recovery capabilities, and director Karen Hutchinson has experience in cross-border civil fraud cases as well as financial crime matters.